BLI releasing another round of PRR T1s

[mike_lawyer]

Just got the announcement.  I will probably buy one as a PRR modeler, but we desperately need some I1s, J1s, and H10s.  I wish BLI would have released one of those classes.

[Boulderman]

When are they going to do the T1's with the Buick front?
I have several modified version T1's, don't need any more of those.

[pjm20]

[mike_lawyer]

Peter -

My thoughts exactly!  We really need the I1 made by BLI.  I find it curious that BLI is making more T1s when they had a very limited time span on the PRR, and is a very niche locomotive.  PRR had almost 600 I1s all over the system for over 40 years.

Mike

[reinhardtjh]

Peter -

My thoughts exactly!  We really need the I1 made by BLI.  I find it curious that BLI is making more T1s when they had a very limited time span on the PRR, and is a very niche locomotive.  PRR had almost 600 I1s all over the system for over 40 years.

Mike

Cash flow perhaps.  They just tooled up 3 brand new steam locos in N - The BigBoy, Y6b and the Reading T-1 (Status pages says tooling is done, due fall) which had to be expensive.  They also have a new run of Mikes, F3's, F7's and switchers coming.  Maybe they need a little breather before tooling up the I1sa, H10 and J1 that they mentioned last year.  I was disappointed also that there is no sign of these yet, but I'm hoping for soon (late 2023 or 2024?).

Have you noticed the three fantasy schemes for the T1?  Probably hoping to get a little extra cash out of them.

[mike_lawyer]

They keep pushing back the Reading T1, which is disappointing.  I want to buy one of those.

[reinhardtjh]

They keep pushing back the Reading T1, which is disappointing.  I want to buy one of those.

I think I want 2 or 3 or 4 because the running gear is very close to that of a C&O Greenbrier 4-8-4.  Though BLI has done those in HO so could possible do them in N as well.

At least they're tooled now.  Probably just need a spot in the production line.  Currently BLI has 8 projects (5 of them in N) "in Production" so the line might be pretty full.

It's interesting the PRR T1 needed some tooling.  Perhaps to fit the P4 decoder.

[PiperguyUMD]

I think I want 2 or 3 or 4 because the running gear is very close to that of a C&O Greenbrier 4-8-4.  Though BLI has done those in HO so could possible do them in N as well.

I could go for a few for similar reasons. The Reading T1 is practically a WM Potomac from the running boards down. Not to mention they frequented Hagerstown. Whenever the I1s show up I’ll be looking at those to turning into a WM decapod. Probably a good thing they are taking a little longer, this could be painful for my wallet!

[pjm20]

Peter -

My thoughts exactly!  We really need the I1 made by BLI.  I find it curious that BLI is making more T1s when they had a very limited time span on the PRR, and is a very niche locomotive.  PRR had almost 600 I1s all over the system for over 40 years.

Mike

Had you said this before the announcement of the new run of PRR T1s, then I'd say due to the slow T1 sales (Trainworld keeps trying to dump them) that they are getting cold on the N Scale PRR steam market. The fact they are doing another run of PRR T1s, no clue. All I know that I'll drop for 4 I1s off the bat if the announce it, and you may suck more money out of me.

I to await my Reading T1, as these babies plied the Elmira Branch with I1s in 1956, and I have a soft spot for the Reading.   

[mike_lawyer]

Had you said this before the announcement of the new run of PRR T1s, then I'd day due to the slow T1 sales (Trainworld keeps trying to dump them) that they are getting cold on the N Scale PRR steam market. The fact they are doing another run of PRR T1s, no clue. All I know that I'll drop for 4 I1s off the bat if the announce it, and you may suck more money out of me.

I to await my Reading T1, as these babies plied the Elmira Branch with I1s in 1956, and I have a soft spot for the Reading.

I too would probably be in for four I1s if they announced it tomorrow.  I have also been looking forward to the Reading T1 as the PRR leased a number of them to use on their system.

In a way, though, I can understand them doing another run of PRR T1s.  They have already done the tooling before, and all they need to do is upgrade to the new Paragon decoder.  It is a fairly cheap build per unit because all the R&D and tooling has already been done, unlike a new PRR steamer.

Based on my emails with the BLI rep last year, I believe the next PRR steamer will be the H10, followed by the J1, and ultimately the I1.  But it might be several years before they all come to fruition.

Mike

[pjm20]

I too would probably be in for four I1s if they announced it tomorrow.  I have also been looking forward to the Reading T1 as the PRR leased a number of them to use on their system.

In a way, though, I can understand them doing another run of PRR T1s.  They have already done the tooling before, and all they need to do is upgrade to the new Paragon decoder.  It is a fairly cheap build per unit because all the R&D and tooling has already been done, unlike a new PRR steamer.

Based on my emails with the BLI rep last year, I believe the next PRR steamer will be the H10, followed by the J1, and ultimately the I1.  But it might be several years before they all come to fruition.

Mike

They're waiting for inflation to get the I1 to $600 a pop. 

[reinhardtjh]

I too would probably be in for four I1s if they announced it tomorrow. 

Man, you need 4 hippos just to push a good coal train or freight around the Curve!   

[Hedron]

Had you said this before the announcement of the new run of PRR T1s, then I'd day due to the slow T1 sales (Trainworld keeps trying to dump them) that they are getting cold on the N Scale PRR steam market. The fact they are doing another run of PRR T1s, no clue.

I'm puzzled as well. I've been watching the market on eBay for these, having an extra unit I was thinking of selling. There are 40+ entries right now, most new, and most of the new ones have multiple units available.

[mike_lawyer]

I'm puzzled as well. I've been watching the market on eBay for these, having an extra unit I was thinking of selling. There are 40+ entries right now, most new, and most of the new ones have multiple units available.

Yeah, you can find ones brand new at a bunch of retailers.  Demand has not been as strong as for the M1.  That's why I think they would be wise to produce an H10, J1, and I1, they would be better sellers.

[propmeup1]

I have three Reading T1 on order. I'm from Reading.  But yes PRR I1, J1 and Q2 would be nice.